Description
Book SynopsisThe new nonfictionthe adaptation of storytelling techniques to journalistic articles in the manner of Truman Capote, Tom Wolfe, and John McPheeis an innovative genre that has been awarded virtually every Pulitzer Prize for literary journalism since 1979. And now Jon Franklin, himself a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and undisputed master of the great American nonfiction short story, shares the secrets of his success. Franklin shows how to make factual pieces come alive by applying the literary techniques of complication/resolution, flashback, foreshadowing, and pace. He illustrates his points with a close analysis and annotation of two of his most acclaimed stories, so that the reader can see, step-by-step, just how they were created. This lively, easy-to-follow guid combines readability and excitement with the best of expository prose and illuminates the techniques that beginning journalistsand more experienced ones, toowill find immensely helpful:
Trade Review
"All in all, an impressive introduction to a difficult subject, done with disarming candor. Franklin provides concise, no-nonsense tips
in a lively, easy-to-follow style that's refreshingly free from the usual 'creative writing' jargon. It's a technique that beginning journalists, and even those more experienced, will find especially helpful and revealing. Franklin knows what he's talking about and shares his knowledge with admirable generosity."
Kirkus Reviews"Learning to write the short story, always a challenge for budding fiction writers, is for Franklin
the royal road to success in feature writing today, Thoroughly and methodically, he shows aspiring journalists how to 'nail down' the operative elements of a storycomplication/resolution, flashback, foreshadowing, and paceand, through close analysis of two of his prize-winning features, what to do and in what order to do it
a sound, fertile book, recommended for attaining effective writing skills."
Library Journal
Table of Contents
Preface
I. The New School for Writers
II. Mrs. Kelly's Monster
III. The Ballad of Old Man Peters
IV. Stalking the True Short Story
V. Structure
VI. The Outline
VII. Structuring the Rough
VIII. Contemplating the Structure
IX. Polishing
X. The Nature of Art and Artists
Appendix A: The Annotated Monster
Appendix B: The Annotated Ballad
